Turn signal controlling switch for vehicles



C. SWENSON Sept. 25, 1962 TURN SIGNAL CONTROLLING s WITCH FOR VEHICLESFiled. Mars? INVENTOR sadl Patented Sept.

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wcnson, i l). ll

New Filed Mar. 27, 1959, Ser. $02,5 7. 3 12 Claims. ill. Zlltl dlfi)vely vary the duration of display of the turn when he w for example tii. t g the turn, the speed or" the vehicle, waitir periods at streetintersections etc.

in the switch mentioned above and in other switches a of the kind, whenthe operating handle is displaced into the left or right turn signalflashing position, a current is passed through a resistor to heat andthereby bend a piece of bimetal after a certain time delay causing auto-It; in cancelling of the signals and resetting of the switch.

in my improved switch the handle may be displaced into one of severallatched positions on either side of the normal off position, and a partof the resistor connected in the circuit to vary the time delay with thedeflection of the handle. If the selected time delay should proved to betoo long and the signals remain flashing after the t' 'n is completed,they may be cancelled and the switch reset manually by push buttonaction.

"vi hen it is necessary so make many turns at frequent intervals, forexample when driving in a city and in hot weather, residual heat mayaccumulate in the thermostat and surroundings and cause a too quickresponse of the bimetal, so that the signals are put out before the turnis completed. A driver using my switch will be able able to cope withthis signation by choosing a more deflected posi-- tion of the handle.

A further object is so facilitate manufacture, assembly and connectionof the switch by making it everywhere symmetrical with some of the mainparts identical.

, Other objects and advantages of my improvements will appear as thespecification proceeds and with use of the switch.

1. attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing, in which FIG. 1 is a plan view of the switch with the coversremoved; FIG. 2, a sectiona view on the plane 2-2 in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is aplan view of the switch with the covers and a terminal board removed;FIG. 4 is an inside view of a cover, and HG. 5, an electrical circuitdiagram.

Similar reference numerals refer so similar parts throughout the severalviews.

Referring to the drawing, the mechanism is enclosed in a center housing1, to which identical covers 2 are fastened in assembled relation bymeans of a screw 3 and nut 4, the screw passing through inwardlyextending bosses 5, which are integral with the covers and provided withbearings 6 for a pivot stud 7, the latter having a hole 3 for passage ofthe assembly screw 3. The pivot stud 7 is secured to an insert 9, whichis in turn molded into a Bakelite contact block 10; a tubular handle 11is screwed into a plate 12, which may be fastened by screws to thecontact block 10. The handle is divided into two parts and screwedtogether to afford ready access to parts inside the handle. A pilot lampl3, the bulb projecting outside the handle end, is rcmovably held in abayonet socket 14, the latter fitting slidingly within the handle in 2contact making relation with the handle wall; the is pressfitted on amagnetic plunger 15, which with a reduced diameter a solenoid l6provided with a metal jacket, that tits closely within the handle and'fi which one end of the solenoid coil is soldered, while the other end37 is further insulated to be connected. as later described. By means ofsuitable brackets {not shown) the switch may be mounted in thetraditional ner on parts of the vehicle, which are grounded or connected to the negative side 18 of a vehicle battery The center contactpoint of the pilot lamp l3 contacts the resilient head 20 of a slenderbrass pin 2i, and the pin, insulated within a sleeve 22 in the plunger15, passes cczr trally through the latter and into a cavity 23 in thecontact block 10 to be connected to the positive side 24 of the batteryit? as will be described. A coil spring 25 acting between solenoid andplunger biases a latch pin 26, passed transversely through the inner endof the plunger and. projecting outside the handle through slots 27 inthe handle wall, to follow a cam 28, when the handle is displaced. Thecam extends inwardly from the housing wall, which is here circular andconcentric with the pivot stud "I, and on both sides of an oblong hole29, the ends of the hole serving as extreme stops for the handle. Atangular distances 15, 30 and 45 on either side of center the cam 23 isprovided with notches 30 for the follower pin 26 to enter and latch thehandle in these positions. Pressure on the pilot lamp releases the pin,and action by a coil spring 31, which is suspended between the insert 9in the contact block and cars 32 in the housing wall will cause contactblock and handle to return to the center position. if the solenoid isenergized the plunger wil as drawn farther into it, and the switch willthen take i. normal position automatically. The contact block lllcarries resilient brass contacts, for which there are formed rectangularrecesses 33 to contain contacts 34 and transverse rectangular holes 35for contacts 36 and 37; each contact has two extrusions 38 designed tomake electrical connection with contact surfaces 35 in two identicalBake lite terminal boards 40, one of which is placed on either side ofthe contact block. The bosses 5 in the covers 2 enter shallow holes 41in. the terminal boards to hold them by means of the assembly screw 3and nut 4 against the ears.32 and reinforced sides 42 of the housingwall, in which position there is a suitable pressure between contactsand contact surfaces. The contact surfaces 39 are disposed in theterminal boards on the circular arcs described by the contact points 38,and connections are made, when the handle is in a latched position. Acontact 34 will bridge two contact surfaces in the same terminal boardto connect a vehicle light either to an external flasher 43 or to anexternal switch 44 in accordance vith the circuit diagram FIG. 5 andwith markings on the switch shown in FIG. 1, while a contact 36, 37 willconnect a contact surface in one terminal board with a. contact surfacein the other terminal board to function in the solenoid and pilot lampcircuits in a manner to be described. Rivets 45 are passed through theterminal boards, their heads or connecting lugs such as 46 serving asthe contact surfaces 39, while other lugs, such as 47, are used on theoutside of the terminal boards to connect some of the rivets and reducewiring and soldering work. Connecting wires are soldered directly to therivets, passed through openings 48 in the terminal boards and collectedinto a cable.

Two identical thermostats 49 are constructed by winding an insulatedresistance wire 50 on a strip of bimetal 51; contact clips 52, 53 areprovided on the ends of the bimetal and one end 54 of the coil 50 iselectrically connected to the bimetal, while the other coil end 55 isinsulated from it and grounded to the cover; a thermostat is heldsecurely in a pocket 56 formed inside each cover near the rim with theends of the bimetal extending outside t e pocket. A leaf spring 57 witha contact point fill on extreme end is fastened betweer plate "ontactblock ill to trace on e handle is displaced to either side a coil 50,where the insulation has been re- ;connect the coil to the ground a. topoint nal board a leaf spring cont-ct member to a lug as and bentoutward to malre bi metal at the clip 593, likewise a contact connectedto a lug s2. on either terminal. ent outward without touching thebimetal, to make contact at the clip 53 with the bitends when reaching acertain item-- isolated wire 1'7 from the solenoid is led into the B inthe contact block it and soldered to the c contact 3 d, while b as tlamp is ircuit diagram i parts they represent, the position of thecontacts Si l, fill, 33 also indicates the position of the handle ill,which is resistance wire fill to the point of contact ill with the deallest g 57. Heat will be generated at a time depending on the length otthe resistance wire in t. circuit and the bimetal will bend aftercorrespond lag time delay, thereby energizing the solenoid through thebimetal at 33, a contact member all, a lug 62 and the transverse contact36.

ln the circuit diagram in Fit 5 the vehicle lights are designated L orit according to their place on the left or right side of the vehicle; inthe center or neutral position of the landle the lights are allcontrolled by the external switches 44, which are assumed to be alreadypresent in a vehicle.

When the handle is displaced into a latched position on either side ofcenter, the lights on that side of the vehicle will flash, while thelights on the other side will remain under control of the switches td.

1f the driver desires to flash the turn signals for a relatively shorttime, for example in changing from one traffie lane to another, he willset the handle in a off center position, for a longer period he willchoose the position, and with the handle in a off center position forexample when a complete turn is to be made, there-will be a still longerdelay before the signals are automatically deenergized.

The pilot light will be on, while the turn signals are flashing.

While I have described a specific embodiment of my invention, it isunderstood that changes and modifications may be made in the mechanismand wiring of the switch within the spirit of the invention and scope ofthe claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. In a light controlling switch wherein an operating handle isdisplaced into contact making positions and automatically released andreturned to a normal off position after a time delay, means to vary saiddelay in relation to the displacement of the handle, in combinationwith: an operating handle; handle latch. and release means operative theplurality of positions of the handle and including a latch and recessedmeans therefor, a spring acting in connection with said latch andrecessed means to hold the handle in position and electromagnetic meansto oppose said spring action and release the handle when energized; anelectric resistor heater; a heat responsive element in close associationtherewith and adapted to connect said electromagnetic means in circuitwhen is ated to response temperature and to open circuit when orrnalcondition; means operated by the handle and a member in continuoussliding contact with l resistor to connect a part thereof in circuitdependon the displacement of the handle and accordingly the rate of heatapplied to said element.

T2. in a switch according to claim I manually operated auxiliary handlerelease means acting substantially in the line at effective relativemovement of said latch and reed means.

:1. in a switch according to claim 1 a shape of said latch and recessedmeans cooperative to hold the handle unyieldingly to fOrCCs actingtoward said off position.

A switch according to claim 1 wherein said electroactic means is asolenoid and plunger.

in switch according to claim 1 means including .a .lilld resistor tovary the rate of heat generated in 1'18 corresponding to the latchedpositions of the handle.

6. in a switch according to claim 5 manually operated auxiliary handlerelease means acting substantially in line of effective relativemovement of said latch and recessed means.

'7. in a switch according to claim 5 a shape of said latch and recessedmeans cooperative to hold the handle unyieldingly to forces actingtoward said oil position.

8. A switch according to claim 5 wherein said electro magnetic means isa solenoid and plunger.

in a light controlling switch for vehicles wherein an operating handleis displaced into a plurality of cont t making latched positions from anormal oil position: an operating handle; an electromagnet; a bimetallicthermostat including a resistor; 21 member movable with the handle andslidingly contacting said resistor to connect a part thereof in avehicle battery circuit and thereby vary the rate of heat application tothe bimetal and the delay in bending thereof with the position of thehandle; means for applying the response of the bimetal to actuate saidelectromagnct and release the handle from its latched positions, andresilient means biasing the handle toward said normal position.

10. in a light controlling switch for vehicles wherein an operatinghandle is displaced into a plurality of con tact making latchedpositions from a normal 0ft position: an operating handle; anclectrornagnet; a bimetallic thermostat including a tapped resistor;means for connecting said resistor in a vehicle battery circuit to varythe rate of heat application to the bimetal and the delay in bendingthereof with the position of the handle; means for applying the responseof the bimetal to actuate said clectromagnet and release the handle fromits latched positions, and resilient means biasing the handle towardsaid normal position.

11. In a light controlling switch for vehicles, wherein connections aremade when an operating handle pivoted in the switch casing and extendingoutside thereof is displaced into latched positions from a normalposition: a hollow operating handle; a spring biased sliding membertherein; a latch projecting from said sliding member; means withrecesses to receive the latch; a magnetic plunger; a coacting solenoid;a bimetallic thermostat including a variable resistance, said resistanceand solenoid connected in a vehicle battery circuit to cause, whencnergised, action of the solenoid on said plunger after a time delayvarying with the position of the handle; means for applying saidmagnetic action to release the handle from its latched positions, andresilient means biasing the handle toward said normal position.

12. in. a light controlling switch for vehicles wherein connections aremade when an operating handle pivoted in the switch casing and extendingoutside thereof is displaced into latched positions from a normalposition: an operating handle; a magnetic plunger; a coacting solenoid;a bimetallic thermostat including a variable resistance, said resistanceand solenoid connected in a vehicle battery circuit to cause whenenergised action at the solenoid on said plunger after a time delayvarying with the position of the handle; means for applying said magnetic action to release the handle from its latched positions, andresilient means biasing the handle toward said position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS KimbleNov. 12, Morse Jan. 11, Dibelka Oct. 20, Malone Aug. 31, Pearl June 7,Hollins Feb. 25, Markham Sept. 22,

